2023 · Heritage Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon

The Vineyardist is a small, family-owned estate on Diamond Mountain in Calistoga, founded in 2000 by Dirk Fulton and Becky Kukkola on the historic Calarcadia property. Its hillside vineyards, described as seven or 24 working acres across the estate, are divided into small blocks at elevations of 800–1,375 feet, with volcanic soils and eastern-facing slopes. The vineyards are hand-farmed biodynamically and sustainably under the supervision of Phil Coturri and Jim Barbour. Production is highly limited, focused on Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc from tiny yields. Winemaking is led by Tony Biagi, following inaugural winemaker Mark Herold, with individual blocks fermented and aged separately before blending. The estate releases only wines that meet its exacting standards.